The Whiffs & Uni Boys Rock Out at The Redwood
It was a rough night for The Whiffs at The Redwood on a hump day in LA. Originally slated to go on in the middle of the evening they got pushed back to after midnight. Then, while waiting to go on, they learned that their van was broken in to and ransacked. Thankfully, all the gear was backstage in the club and just clothes and sundries were stolen but to top all of it off, bassist Zach Campbell’s amp blew out during their first song. Fortunately, a member of the band Bad Sex brought out his and plugged Zach in.
After all that, the Kansas City power Pop group, touring the west coast in support of their spectacular sophomore record, Scratch N Sniff, pounded out a raucous set of high energy Punk Power Pop that played as though their very lives were on the line.
Other bands traveling thousands of miles to play to tens of fans might have given up under these circumstances. Might have phoned it in. Might have been defeated. Not Rory Cameron and the rest of this gang of midwest Power Poppers. They blasted through a set of their late 60’s Nugget inspired Power Punk with inspired abandon that exceeded the expectations. I love both Whiffs records but, live? They are nearly uncontainable.
Opening for them were Los Angeles’ own Power Pop kings, Uni Boys. I had seen 3/4 of his group as backing band for Billy Tibbals earlier this year and they were terrific. But playing choice cuts of their own songs from last year’s Do It All Next Week and their forthcoming Lemon Twigs produced Buy This Now, Uni Boys are perfect exemplars of a burgeoning scene and sound burbling in the underground. Tight, taut & Infectious songs informed by all that delicious goodness of the past: Power Pop, Glam, and just straight up guitar rock.
Something happens when these kids play: the crowd lurches forward to be as close to the band, to be engulfed in the joy and catharsis you get from a three minute burst of rock and roll. Get ready, world, Uni Boys are leading a Power Pop resurgence that is ready to break through.
Review & Photos by: @areallulu
Like what you read? Follow our social media and playlist for the latest in independent music:
